Hands-on discovery helps girls imagine a future in STEMM

The 2026 UNSW Engineering ‘Girls in STEMM’ event allowed dozens of Year 5 and 6 girls to explore what pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) could look like.

Approximately 100 girls from Ingleburn High School, Ingleburn Public School and Sackville Public School in in south-western Sydney came together at Ingleburn High School on 19 August. Representatives from seven schools within the UNSW Faculty of Engineering organised engaging activities to allow the girls to understand the many ways that STEMM can be used to solve real-world problems, and to give them a glimpse into university life.

A panel discussion in the morning featured four women currently studying engineering at UNSW. They talked about what inspired their study choices, the highlights and challenges of studying at university, and offered advice for high school students considering engineering. For the remainder of the day, the girls then explored ‘demonstration kits’ from the different UNSW Engineering schools: Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications; Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Computer Science and Engineering; and the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering.

The students split into groups to delve into these practical, more hands-on activities. They built lanterns, learnt about rooftop solar energy generation, and discovered the science behind fuel cells and how they can power race cars. They designed robotic claws, learnt about filtering water for safe consumption, and built floating pontoons to support mangrove regeneration. They also learnt about how bionic hands can help amputees to go about their daily lives.

Coordinator of the Girls in STEMM program and Senior Lecturer/Nexus Fellow at the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications, Wendy Lee, said that it was great to see the girls feeling both informed and inspired.

“The Girls in STEMM program helps build students’ confidence and curiosity by giving them meaningful opportunities to engage with STEMM and see themselves as capable future scientists, engineers and innovators,” said Wendy.

“It also broadens their awareness of the diverse study and career pathways available, helping them understand how STEMM can shape their future.”

Now in its third year, the Girls in STEMM program has engaged hundreds of students from schools in and around Sydney and greater NSW. As well as learning what STEMM can look like in the university environment, students are also made aware of the different clubs available, such as the Young Women in Engineering club. The program also helps to share different avenues for young women to study at UNSW, including the Young Women in Engineering Pathway Program and other gateway pathways, which lower ATAR requirements for those who meet eligibility criteria.

This year, the program was also supported by the UNSW Engineering Makerbus—a  mobile makerspace designed to increase access to high-quality, hands-on STEM learning.